Biz Av Hangar

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Don't knock Luton Airport, it's one of the best we've got !

I hadn't intended to upset anyone with yesterdays reference to Luton Airport, but it was soon obvious, I was a wanted man ! Just after midnight infact, Gulfstream IV, N890A, slipped into Orlando Executive Airport from the aforementioned Bedfordshire Airport, via Bangor Intl., Maine. We have all heard of the alleged 'rendition flights', was I too going to be treated to a flight in a Gulfy?

Seriously, this was the last day of this years NBAA and movements reflected it.

As this is my last posting on this years NBAA, I would like to thank all those of you who have taken the trouble to email me with your positive feedback. I would also like to thank FlightAware for revealing to all of us sat here in Britain what has, or hasn't been appearing at the show venue. As a colleague asked me earlier today, "Where have all the bigger jets flown into?". Well, if I was in Florida, I may well have come up with an answer, but can you answer this one for him?

Continue reading "NBAA movements - Thursday 19th" »

Embraer continue to make the running at the NBAA Show, with more orders announced.

Avantair, already known as fractional operators of the Avanti turbo-prop, have today ordered 20 Phenom 100 jets. The order has a value of $57 million, and the first delivery is due in June 2009.
The addition of the Phenom 100 will enable Avantair to widen its range of aircraft on offer, and more choices for fractional ownership. The Phenom will be an excellent step up for Avantair's present owners and users.

Another batch of Phenoms has been ordered by Eagle Creek Aviation Services of the USA. They have purchased 12 Phenom 100s and 4 Phenom 300 jets, with a further 5 options for the family.The first delivery will be in late 2008, when they will join the Eagle Creek fleet which is used for Charters and Management schemes.
Eagle Creek have also been appointed to be one of the major service and maintenance centers for the Phenom family in the United States.

The Phenom is attracting orders because it has been designed with air charter and management programs in mind. It offers very high availability and utilization levels, and a long fatigue life due to its composite components. It is designed to fly up to 2,000 hours per annum, like the Embraer 135 and 145 family, which come from the same stable, most business operators regard 500 hours per year from a business aircraft to be normal.

For more information on the Phenom range, click here.

European spotters will be able to see a fleet of Phenoms by 2009, when a fleet of 24 Phenom 100 jets will start to be delivered to Spanish company Wondair. An order worth over $70 million has been announced today-Thursday. The contract also features 12 options, and some may be converted to the larger Phenom 300 if demand allows.
Wondair are an on-demand operator, based at Valencia, they are connected to the Spanish food group of the same name. By 2011, they hope to have a fleet of more than 45 aircraft, at present they operate a Citation and a King Air.

More information on the Phenom can be found on the Embraer web-site-click here.

An artist's impression of the Phenom 100

Can you get too much of a good thing? Looking at the list of arrivals at Orlando Executive Airport, the inference is no !

But how would the veteran NBAA spotter rate the amount of movements this year with previous NBAAs? Looking through some old records, the first that came to hand, I see the 1997 NBAA at Dallas - Love Field had over 600 different corporate jets attending over 4 days.

Admittedly, I do not show all the arrivals, but has the rise in fuel costs, increased security, etc put the predominantly American biz operator / owner off from attending NBAA?

The industry thinks not, with the exhibition floor space at the Orange County Convention Hall being completely sold out for the first time ever, everyone is keyed up to make this a succesful NBAA - at least for their business.

Noted today was a growing tendency for demo flights, or at least the same aircraft landing again after the unsurprising fact that they had earlier taken off. Where the spotter is concerned, on the good side, it gives him or her another chance to get the exposure right on that tricky subject, the white biz-jet. On the down side, what is hoped to be a new sighting, is just another one 'dropped'. Anyway, it beats spotting at Luton !!

Continue reading "NBAA movements: Wednesday 18th" »

Another busy day as to be expected at Orlando Executive Airport. Again conditions were perfect and the English autumn seemed very distant. Without further ado here is the list of arrivals...

Continue reading "NBAA movements - Monday 16th" »

First day of the show proper and Orlando Executive Airport was buzzing with traffic. The visiting aircraft started early and movements peaked at over 40 an hour at about 6:00 PM. But there was no peace for the wicked and arrivals went on to peak in the early evening.

I could go on, but I know you want to see the arrivals list......

Continue reading "NBAA movements - Tuesday 17th" »

With two clear days before the official start to this years show, the corporate aviation traffic into Orlando Executive Airport has been increasing nicely. With no rain predicted and a high of 81F (27C) and a light wind from the SE the day was going to be long but busy......

Before I go into the a list of some of Sundays arrivals, Keith mentioned earlier Adam Aircraft and their A500, the 5th of which, N522AA arrived late on Saturday night. It was also nice to see on Sunday Canadian Epic LT C-FJRQ arrive from Dallas.

Continue reading "NBAA movements: Sunday 15th" »

Adam Aircraft have started the NBAA show in a very healthy position. Their A500 centerline piston twin has come to the show on the point of complete certification. It is a roomy six-seater that offers pressurized comfort, long range and a sprightly performance.
The A700 Adamjet is also forging ahead towards certification. There are two of the twin-boom VLJ aircraft test flying, with a third in final assembly. The A700 features Williams FJ-33 engines, state of the art electronics, and 5/6 seats with optional lavatory, in a roomy cabin. Adam's order backlog stands at around 400 aircraft, with a worth of $855 million. The A700 was given a timely boost for the NBAA show by an announcement from Magnum Jet of an order for 101 units. Magnum will use the A700 for its new Very Light Jet Ownership and Management program, and future air limo service.